Systems and methods for facilitating device control, device protection, and power savings

ABSTRACT

Systems, methods, and apparatus to facilitate wireless device monitoring and control are provided. A first device controller may be adapted to be disposed within a power connector, in series with conductors of the power connector. The power connector may be adapted to provide power from a power source to a device. The first device controller may include two terminals to electrically couple the first device controller with the conductors of the power connector. The first device controller may further include a power component to power the first device controller. The first device controller may be configured to monitor one or more conditions of the device, control one or more functions of the device, and wirelessly communicate with a system controller that is remote from the power connector and the device. The power connector may correspond to a power plug and/or a terminal block.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/164,804, filed Oct. 19, 2018, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 15/274,057, filed Sep. 23, 2016, which is acontinuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/302,058, filed Jun. 11,2014, the entire contents of each of which are hereby incorporated byreference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates in general to device control, and, morespecifically, but not by way of limitation, to systems, methods, andapparatus for facilitating device control, device protection, and powersavings.

Currently, in order to upgrade a home for control and monitoring ofdevices, it is necessary to fit individual smart adapters which gobetween the power socket and the plug. These are often expensive andbulky. There is a need for solutions to address such a problem andrelated problems in space-constrained implementations in mannerssuitable for low-cost, high-volume manufacturing processes.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Certain embodiments of the present disclosure relate in general todevice control, and, more specifically, but not by way of limitation, tosystems, methods, and apparatus for facilitating device control, deviceprotection, and power savings.

In one aspect, a system to facilitate wireless device monitoring andcontrol is disclosed. The system may include any one or combination ofthe following. A first device controller may be adapted to be disposedwithin a power plug, in series with conductors of the power plug. Thepower plug may be adapted to provide power from a power source to adevice. The first device controller may include two terminals toelectrically couple the first device controller with the conductors ofthe power plug. The first device controller may include a powercomponent to power the first device controller. The first devicecontroller may be configured to monitor one or more conditions of thedevice, control one or more functions of the device, and wirelesslycommunicate with a system controller that is remote from the power plugand the device.

In another aspect, a method to facilitate wireless device monitoring andcontrol is disclosed. The method may include performing any one orcombination of the following. A first device controller may be adaptedto be disposed within a power plug, in series with conductors of thepower plug. The power plug may be adapted to provide power from a powersource to a device. The first device controller may include twoterminals to electrically couple the first device controller with theconductors of the power plug. The first device controller may include apower component to power the first device controller. The first devicecontroller may be configured to monitor one or more conditions of thedevice, control one or more functions of the device, and wirelesslycommunicate with a system controller that is remote from the power plugand the device.

In yet another aspect, one or more non-transitory, machine-readablemedia are disclosed. The one or more non-transitory, machine-readablemedia may have machine-readable instructions thereon which, whenexecuted by one or more processing devices, facilitates wireless devicemonitoring and control, causing the one or more processing devices toperform any one or combination of the following. One or more conditionsof a first device may be monitored via a first device controller adaptedto be disposed within a power plug in series with conductors of thepower plug, the power plug adapted to provide power from a power sourceto the first device. One or more functions of the first device may becontrolled via the first device controller. A system controller that isremote from the power plug and the device may be wirelessly communicatedwith, via the first device controller.

In various embodiments, the first device controller may be furtherconfigured to provide overcurrent protection for the device to protectthe device from overload. In various embodiments, the one or moreprocessing devices may be caused to provide overcurrent protection forthe device to protect the device from overload.

In various embodiments, the system controller may be configured towirelessly communicate with a set of one or more device controllers. Theset of one or more device controllers may include the first devicecontroller. The system controller may be configured to monitor the setof one or more device controllers. In various embodiments, the one ormore processing devices may be caused to wirelessly communicate firstinformation to the system controller to facilitate monitoring of thefirst device by the system controller.

In various embodiments, the system controller is further configured tocontrol the set of one or more device controllers. In variousembodiments, the system controller may be further configured to processan indication of a trigger event, select a first configuration from aset of system configurations based at least in part on the indication ofthe trigger event, and transmit a command to at least one devicecontroller of the set of one or more device controllers to cause atleast one device controller to control the device in conformity with afirst operational mode, of at least one device controller including thefirst device controller. The first device controller may be furtherconfigured to, in response to the command, control the device inconformity with the first operational mode at a first time. In someembodiments, the first configuration may correspond to a power savingsconfiguration.

In various embodiments, the one or more processing devices may be causedto process a set of one or more commands received from the systemcontroller to control the first device controller, and cause the firstdevice controller to act in conformity with the set of one or morecommands. In various embodiments, the one or more processing devices maybe caused to transmit an indication of a trigger event to the systemcontroller, process a command from the system controller, and,responsive to the command, control the first device in conformity with afirst operational mode at a first time.

In various embodiments, the first device controller may be furtherconfigured to control the device in conformity with a second operationalmode at a second time after the first time. In various embodiments, theone or more processing devices may be caused to control the first devicein conformity with a second operational mode at a second time after thefirst time.

Further areas of applicability of the present disclosure will becomeapparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It shouldbe understood that the detailed description and specific examples, whileindicating various embodiments, are intended for purposes ofillustration only and are not intended to necessarily limit the scope ofthe disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A further understanding of the nature and advantages of variousembodiments may be realized by reference to the following figures. Inthe appended figures, similar components or features may have the samereference label. Further, various components of the same type may bedistinguished by following the reference label by a dash and a secondlabel that distinguishes among the similar components. When only thefirst reference label is used in the specification, the description isapplicable to any one of the similar components having the same firstreference label irrespective of the second reference label.

FIG. 1 illustrates a diagram of an overview of a system to facilitatedevice control, device protection, and power savings, in accordance withcertain embodiments of present disclosure.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C illustrate diagrams of a device controller, inaccordance with certain embodiments of present disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a device controller, in accordancewith certain embodiments of present disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates a diagram of a power plug, in accordance with certainembodiments of present disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of a device controller, in accordancewith certain embodiments of present disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates a non-limiting set of communication protocols tofacilitate communication, in accordance with certain embodiments ofpresent disclosure.

FIGS. 7A and 7B respectively illustrate diagrams of various smartterminals, in accordance with certain embodiments of present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram of a computing device, which maycorrespond to one or more of controllers, according to certainembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example method for enabling device control, inaccordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 illustrates a computer system, in accordance with certainembodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The ensuing description provides preferred exemplary embodiment(s) only,and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configurationof the disclosure. Rather, the ensuing description of the preferredexemplary embodiment(s) will provide those skilled in the art with anenabling description for implementing a preferred exemplary embodimentof the disclosure. It should be understood that various changes may bemade in the function and arrangement of elements without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appendedclaims.

Specific details are given in the following description to provide athorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will beunderstood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the embodimentsmaybe practiced without these specific details. For example, circuitsmay be shown in block diagrams in order not to obscure the embodimentsin unnecessary detail. In other instances, well-known circuits,processes, algorithms, structures, and techniques may be shown withoutunnecessary detail in order to avoid obscuring the embodiments.

Also, it is noted that the embodiments may be described as a processwhich is depicted as a flowchart, a flow diagram, a data flow diagram, astructure diagram, or a block diagram. Although a flowchart may describethe operations as a sequential process, many of the operations can beperformed in parallel or concurrently. In addition, the order of theoperations may be re-arranged. A process is terminated when itsoperations are completed, but could have additional steps not includedin the figure. A process may correspond to a method, a function, aprocedure, a subroutine, a subprogram, etc. When a process correspondsto a function, its termination corresponds to a return of the functionto the calling function or the main function.

Certain embodiments according to the present disclosure may provide fora “smart fuse” that is neither expensive nor bulky, and that provides asolution for space-constrained implementations in manners suitable forlow-cost, high-volume manufacturing processes. A smart fuse device maybe individually controlled from any paired system controller. Byintegrating smart fuse devices with a smart control application on asystem controller, there are a number of benefits that can be achieved.Certain embodiments may facilitate upgrading a home for control andmonitoring of devices. Certain embodiments may provide easy means toautomate many of the devices within the home. For instance, a lamp couldbe programmed to come on at certain times of the day or to go offautomatically at certain times. In the case of devices such as a lamp,the smart fuse may enable a dimming function. A further advantage ofcertain embodiments could be the direct integration within a plug for adevice. This could facilitate adoption within many markets.

Further benefits may include the ability to permanently monitorconnected devices which enables to provide detailed logs regards thepower usage for the device. This could then be used to target energysavings around the home by identifying usage patterns and periods whenindividual devices could be disabled. It will be possible to analyzepower usage for individual devices according to time of day. Automaticwarnings can then be generated for instance when lights are switched onfor long periods during the day. Suggestions can be made as to theoptimum time to operate devices, when there are maybe variable powertariffs.

Various embodiments will now be discussed in greater detail withreference to the accompanying figures, beginning with FIG. 1.

FIG. 1 illustrates a diagram of an overview of an embodiment of a system100 to facilitate device control, device protection, and power savings,in accordance with certain embodiments of present disclosure. Forbrevity, system 100 is depicted in a simplified and conceptual form, andmay generally include more or fewer systems, devices, networks, and/orother components as desired. Further, the number and types of featuresor elements incorporated within the system 100 may or may not beimplementation-specific.

The system 100 may include one or more power plugs 105 adapted forconnection to one or more power sources 110. In various embodiments, thepower plug 105 may be a mains plug or any other suitable power plug thatallows electrically operated equipment to be connected to a power source110. The example depicted corresponds to a mains plug 105 adapted forelectrical connection to an AC power source 110. Alternative embodimentscould be directed to any one or combination of another type of powerplug of any suitable shape, size, and connector type, a DC powerconfiguration, and/or any suitable voltage rating. Types of plugs 105may be implemented according to particular national standards in certainembodiments. As depicted, the power plug 105 may be electricallyconnected to a device under control 115. The device under control 115may correspond to a portable appliance or any other electricallyoperated device that is powered via the power plug 105 in variousembodiments.

The power plug 105 includes a device controller 120 adapted to bedisposed within the power plug 105. The power plug 105 may correspond toa mains plug that conforms to power plug standards for certaincountries, such as the United Kingdom. The power plug 105 may includeline 125, ground 130, and neutral 135 conductors. The conductors mayextend from the plug casing 140 to the device under control 115. And theconductors may be electrically connected to corresponding terminals 145,150, 155. The terminals 145, 150, 155 may be adapted for insertion intoa typical socket 160 for electrical connection to the power source 110.

In some embodiments, the device controller 120 may be adapted to bedisposed in series with a conductor of the power plug 105. In theexample depicted, the device controller 120 is disposed in series withthe line conductor 125 and the line terminal 145. In the United Kingdom,for example, household devices are each typically fitted with a mainsplug which contains a small, replaceable safety fuse, in series with thelive terminal. Other countries may also have similar safety deviceswhich could also be used as a common point on control. Other embodimentsare possible. As in the example depicted, the device controller 120 maybe adapted to be disposed in place of the typical safety fuse. Thedevice controller 120 may have the same dimensions as the standardsafety fuse and may be configured to perform the overload protectionfunction of the standard safety fuse. Accordingly, in some embodiments,the device controller 120 may be miniaturized and integrated within thepower plug 105 to provide a smart controller to replace this fusecartridge. Hence, the device controller 120 may be referred herein as a“smart fuse” or “smart fuse device.”

The power plug 105 may be configured to monitor power to the deviceunder control 115. The power plug 105 may be further configured tocontrol the power flow to the device under control 115 by conducting ornot conducting current so as to turn the device under control 115 on andoff. The device controller 120 may act as an electronic, resettable fuseby automatically turning the device off in case of overload. However,various embodiments may be extended and other embodiments could be madefor use in locations which do not require the primary protection of afuse, but which could benefit from the switching and control capability.

In some embodiments, the power plug 105 may also be able to regulate thecurrent and voltage so as to provide a gradient of control beyond binarycontrol of simply powering or not powering the device under control 115.In some embodiments, the power plug 105 may be configured to provideadditional features of communication, monitoring, and/or control thatwould provide an advantageous means to automate multiple devices withina home, office, and/or any appropriate environment. The devicecontroller 120 may be a self-powered controller which can be controlledfrom other devices on a network. The device controller 120 may beindividually identifiable. The device controller 120 may include acontroller, a means of obtaining power from a single power line when thedevice is powered, a means of maintaining power, e.g. battery when thedevice is off, monitoring of the current, the ability to turn itself onand off and a means of communication most likely using an RF signalingtechnology.

The system 100 may include a system controller 170. The systemcontroller 170 may be configured to manage the one or more smart devices120. The system controller 170 may provide a link if necessary betweenthe communication protocol used by the device controller 120 and thecommunication protocol used by any mobile controller 175. In someembodiments, this may be a bridge between Zigbee and Wi-Fi, for example.In some embodiments, the system controller 170 may be integrated withina set-top box, a television, or another household device.

The system controller 170 may provide a user interface to allow foroutput of information to a user and for input from user with one or moreuser-selectable options. In various embodiments, an end-user interfacemay include providing one or more display screens that may each includeone or more user interface elements. An end-user interface may includeany text, image, and/or device that can be displayed on a display screenfor providing information to a user and/or for receiving user input. Anend-user interface may include one or more icons, widgets, buttons,checkboxes, text, text boxes, text fields, tables, lists, and/or thelike.

The system controller 170 may contain schedules and timers for whendevices under control 115 should be turned on, turned off, dimmed,configured to operate in a power savings mode, etc. It may containprohibited times when devices cannot be used, e.g., blackout times for achildren's TV or computer, which may be set by a user. It provides ameans for creating more detailed interaction between devices.

In some embodiments, system controller 170 may include the option forinputs from one or more other sources 180. For example, an externallight sensor may be used as a trigger to turn on certain lights aroundthe house. As another example, a temperature sensor may be used astrigger to activate/deactivate certain appliances. A power configurationcould designate a temperature threshold such that the operation mode(s)for one or more appliance would be initiated when an inside temperatureand/or an outside temperature in the location meets or exceeds thetemperature threshold. For examples, heaters could be controlled, airconditioning units could be controlled, other appliances could becontrolled to minimize operations during a hot time of day, etc. The oneor more other sources 180 could include any suitable sensor or otherdata source, which could be network-accessible, such as a serviceprovider or private/public data source.

The system 100 may include one or more mobile controllers/controlinterface 175. A mobile controller/control interface 175 may includecomputing device configured with a control application. The computingdevice may include a tablet, smartphone, PC, laptop, set-top box,television, and/or any other computing system or device. In someembodiments, control may be allowed from multiple devices around thehome interfacing to the system controller 170. The system may also allowcontrol from outside of the home, in this case control is likely to berouted by way of servers in the “cloud” by way of a cloud controller190.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C illustrate diagrams of a device controller 120-1,in accordance with certain embodiments of present disclosure. FIG. 2Aillustrates top, side, and end views of certain portions of the devicecontroller 120-1. FIG. 2B illustrates two quasi-isometric views ofcertain portions of the device controller 120-1. FIG. 2C illustrates ablock diagram of certain portions of the device controller 120-1.

The device controller 120-1 may, in certain respects, have aspects of afuse cartridge, in some embodiments. For example, the device controller120-1 may be formed in size, shape, and/or function as a fuse cartridge.As a more specific example, some embodiments may be adapted to meetrequirements of the BS1362 standard for the UK market. Other embodimentsmay be adapted to meet requirements of other similar standards, whichmay be directed to other national standards and/or other markets.

The device controller 120-1 may include one or more substrates 205,which could be a PCB or any other substrate suitable for carryingcertain components of the device controller 120-1. The substrate 205 andinterior components may be at least partially surrounded by a housing230 of any suitable material. The device controller 120-1 may includeone or more integrated circuit 210. The integrated circuit 210 couldprovide certain functionalities, such as a switching functionality and asensing functionality. The device controller 120-1 may include an energystorage component 215, such as one or more batteries.

The device controller 120-1 may include a fuse element 220. In someembodiments, the fuse element 220 may be composed directly on thesubstrate 205, for example, with a suitably dimensioned and thickenedPCB trace or with a wire element. In the latter case, the PCB may use acut-out to thermally isolate the fuse from the board. The substrate 205may be connected to end caps 225. This may involve a small extension toeach end of the PCB being plated and which can be fitted into a slot inan end cap 225. The assembly components may be connected with a hightemperature solder and/or the like. The connection to the end caps 225may also provide a means to extract heat from the fuse circuitry to bedissipated via pins of the power plug 105 (e.g., via terminal 145).

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a device controller 120-2, inaccordance with certain embodiments of present disclosure. The devicecontroller 120-2 may include a switching component 365. The switchingcomponent 365 may be electrically coupled to one terminal for electricalcoupling to the device under control 115. In some embodiments, theswitching component 365 may include a primary current switch 320 and asecondary current switch 315. The switching component 365 may facilitatecontrol of current flow to the device under control 115.

Since it is necessary for the device controller 120-2 to be controlledeven when the device under control 115 is switched off, it is necessaryto maintain power in the device controller 120-2. To that end, thedevice controller 120-2 may include a power storage 310, which maycorrespond to the storage component 215. The device controller 120-2 mayinclude a power charging source 305 to enable charging of the powerstorage 310. When the device under control 115 is turned on and currentis flowing to the device 115, it is possible for the device controller120-2 to utilise the current flow and to recharge its internal powerstorage 310.

The power storage 310 may include one or more battery cells, one or morecapacitors, and/or a similar charge storage device. The capacity of thepower storage 310 may typically be such that, under normal operatingconditions, the power storage 310 can be adequately refreshed wheneverthe device under control 115 is operational. The power storage 310 mayhave sufficient capacity to power the device controller 120-2 and allowfor communications for long periods even when the device under control115 is switched off. Because of the differing device under control 115usage models in various implementations, different embodiments may bespecified with different power storage 310 capacities to cope withdifferent recharging regimes. Various embodiments of device controllers120-2 may be optimized for constant switching on/off (e.g., daily usage,hourly usage, etc.) and/or for relatively long off periods (e.g., offperiods which may last for a year or more).

The power charging source 305 may be configured to tap into the flow ofcurrent to the device under control 115. In some embodiments, the powercharging source 305 may cause a small amount of current to flow througha power generation circuit of the power charging source 305. In additionor in alternative, the power charging source 305 may take the wholecurrent through a transformer circuit of the power charging source 305.

Due to the variability of the load current to the device under control115, the power charging source 305 may contain one or more sensingelements and one or more switchable elements so that, for instance, witha small load, more current is passed through the power storage circuitto charge the power storage cell 310. Thus, as the device loadincreases, a smaller proportion may be tapped. In the case when thedevice is switched off, the device controller 120-2 may turn on thedevice under control 115 momentarily for short periods such that thedevice under control 115 is not activated.

In some embodiments, this method may be enhanced by switching thesecondary current switch 315 to allow only a small current to flow. Byallowing a small current to flow, this may be sufficient in itself tocharge the power storage 310, in some embodiments. In this case, thepower charging source 305 may be automatically reconfigured to operatefrom a lower current. In addition or in alternative, in variousembodiments, the low current may allow the device controller 120-2 tomonitor the timing of the AC mains cycle and to switch the primarycurrent switch 320 on in synchronization.

The device controller 120-2 may include a power detector 325 configuredto monitor the voltage being stored in the device controller 120-2. Thepower detector 325 may detect when the voltage starts to drop so that itis possible to perform a background recharging of the power storage 310.The power detector 325 may be communicably coupled with the fusecontroller 340. The device controller 120-2 may also send a message tothe system controller 170 when the power storage 310 is getting lowand/or critically low so that the user may be informed.

The device controller 120-2 may include a current sensor 330. Thiscomponent may be configured to monitor the current flow. The currentsensor 330 may use a low-impedance resistive element which generates avoltage across it proportional to the current flowing. This voltage maybe converted using an A/D converter 335 or a similar converter into adigital representation. As well as providing information relating to theinstantaneous current flow, this may also allow synchronization offunctionality with cycles of AC mains. The A/D converter 335 may requirea high resolution to cope with the wide variation in load currents andalso to be fast, as it must respond to the alternating mains cycle andrapidly to fault conditions. The output of the A/D converter 335 may befed as a digital word to the fuse controller 340.

The primary current switch 320 can enable or disable power flow to thedevice under control 115. The primary current switch 320 may include asuitable relay, semiconductor switch (e.g., a thyristor or TRIAC),and/or the like. In some embodiments, the primary current switch 320 maybe configured to limit the flow of current and provide a dimmingfunction by only switching the device under control 115 on for a part ofeach mains cycle. By varying the point during the mains cycle when thedevice is switched on, the total power can be reduced.

The secondary current switch 315 can enable or disable a lower powerflow to the device under control 115. The secondary current switch 315may include a suitable relay, semiconductor switch (e.g., a thyristor orTRIAC), and/or the like. A resistive element in series with the switch370 may limit the current to lower amounts. The current would be limitedto a value that is just sufficient to charge the storage cell. Theresistive element may be programmable in value with further switches toallow for the current to be varied depending upon the load. By allowingonly a small current to flow initially, it may be possible tosynchronize the switching of primary current switch 320 with the zerocrossing point of the AC mains cycle. This may provide benefits in termsof reducing interference. This low current mode may also be used toenable a background charging when the device under control 115 is meantto be off.

The fuse controller 340 may be the main intelligence responsible formonitoring and controlling all actions within the device controller120-2. The fuse controller 340 may be powered by the power storage 310.The fuse controller 340 may include a microprocessor with programminginstructions stored in any suitable form of non-volatile memory 345. Thefuse controller 340 could include dedicated logic circuits programmed todetect and respond to defined input conditions. The fuse controller 340may be responsible to read the digital input values to determine theinstantaneous current flow. By comparing the rate of increase/decreaseof the current throughout the AC mains cycle, the fuse controller 340may estimate what the precise position within that mains cycle is and,therefore, what the peak/RMS value will be for that cycle. The fusecontroller 340 may compare this value against a threshold for operationof the device controller 120-2 and/or the device under control 115, andif the threshold is exceeded the device controller 120-2 will switch offthe device under control 115. The fuse controller 340 may then send awarning message to the system controller 170. The fuse controller 340may gather data and send updates of power usage to the system controller170. The fuse controller 340 can manage local timers and schedules forthe device controller 120-2 so that it can continue to operate even whenit loses communication with the system controller 170.

The non-volatile memory 345 may retain recordings of the power usage. Insome embodiments, the data may be stored only for a sufficient time toallow for uploading of the data to the system controller 170 via acommunication module 355. In order to reduce the amount of data thatmust be sent, the values could be averaged over a period of time, insome embodiments. If the device under control 115 is a static load, thefrequency of reporting may be further reduced, in some embodiments. Forexample, reporting could be directed to instances when a change occurs.In the case of a microcontroller-based system, the non-volatile memory345 may also store operating instructions, and/or they may be programmedin a read-only memory 350.

The communication module 355 may include any one or combination ofZigbee, Bluetooth, Z-Wave, Wi-Fi, and/or the like RF communicationmodules which allow the device controller 120-2 to communicatewirelessly with a central control point. In addition or in alternative,a mains communication module could be used.

FIG. 4 illustrates a diagram of a power plug 105-1, in accordance withcertain embodiments of present disclosure. The power plug 105-1 isanother embodiment where the device controller 120-3 may be fullyintegrated within power plug 105-1. In some embodiments, the devicecontroller 120-3 may not removable. The device controller 120-3 may beconfigured to powered directly from the AC mains connection with aconnection 132 to the neutral 135-1, since both line 125-1 and neutral135-1 can be available whenever the device controller 120-3 is intendedto be operational. Accordingly, the power plug 105-1 can be a simplifiedembodiment that eliminates the need for a power storage cell. Forexample, FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of a device controller120-4, in accordance with certain embodiments of present disclosure. Thedevice controller 120-4 may correspond to the device controller 120-3 ofFIG. 4. Most other elements may be the same or similar to otherembodiments disclosed herein.

FIG. 6 illustrates a non-limiting set of communication protocols 600 tofacilitate communication, in accordance with certain embodiments ofpresent disclosure. For example, such communication protocols 600 couldbe employed for communications between the device controller 120-2 andthe system controller 170 and/or the mobile controller 175. Thecommunication protocols 600 may be based upon common message structures.By way of example, message protocols 605 may apply to commands from thesystem controller 170, message protocols 610 may apply to responses fromthe device controller 120-2, and message protocols 615 may apply tointerrupt message from the device controller 120-2. In variousembodiments, additional commands, response, interrupts, and sequencesmay be added. Any suitable standardized protocols may be employed invarious embodiments. In some embodiments, the protocols 600 may call fora system identification information and/or device identificationinformation with each message.

Referring again to FIG. 3, the unique ID 360 of the device controller120-2 may allow the device controller 120-2 to be uniquely identified onthe system. The unique ID 360 may facilitate pairing the devicecontroller 120-2 with the system controller 170 in some way. Any one orcombination of several methods (e.g., bar code, QR code on the devicepackaging, serial number, device reader connected to computer, etc.)could be employed to provide the unique ID 360.

In some embodiments, a default mode for the device controller 120-2 mayinclude the switch 365 being enabled so that, when the device undercontrol 115 is first turned on with the device controller 120-2installed, the power charging source 305 may be able to charge the powerstorage 310. The power storage 310 could be pre-charged in someembodiments to allow the device controller 120-2 to operate when firstinstalled. With start-up of the device controller 120-2, the devicecontroller 120-2 may be registered and paired with the system controller170, if such has not already been done.

In some embodiments, the device controller 120-2 may be initiallyconfigured with current overload settings that correspond to standardfuse ratings. In order to provide increased protection, certainembodiments may allow for manual adjustment of the current overloadsettings. Certain embodiments of the device controller 120-2 maygenerate an automatic threshold by learning the normal operating stateof the device controller 120-2. In such embodiments, the devicecontroller 120-2 may monitor the normal operating flow of current fromwhen the device under control 115 is switched on to when it reachessteady state. Typically, there is a surge of current when devices areswitched on which then settles down to a lower value at steady state.Some devices (e.g., a TV, amplifier, computer, and/or the like) may havevarying current profiles. In these cases, the profiles or at leastcertain peaks may be recorded. The device controller 120-2 mayautomatically turn off when an overload occurs that exceeds the definedcurrent thresholds for a period of time. To be comparable with astandard fuse, the threshold may be dependent on the combination ofcurrent and time—i.e., a high current for a very short time, a smallercurrent for a longer period of time.

Certain embodiments may include a standard mechanical fuse element inseries with the device controller 120-2. Such configurations may benecessary in order to comply with safety regulations in certainlocalities. In these cases, the device controller 120-2 may beconfigured to trigger before the mechanical fuse. Thus, the possibilityto reset the smart fuse of the device controller 120-2 may be provided,thereby obviating the need to replace the mechanical fuse.

By monitoring the normal current flow over time, certain embodiments maybe configured to provide a warning when the operating conditions aresteadily changing over a period of time. For example, the devicecontroller 120-2 may provide indication to the system controller 170that there is an impending component failure, and the system controller170 and/or the mobile controller 175 may present a warning. An impendingcomponent failure state, for example, could be detected if the deviceunder control 115 starts to take more current over time when the deviceunder control 115 is powered. The device controller 120-2 may beconfigured for other states, as well.

Once the device controller 120-2 has triggered a fault situation, it maycommunicate to the system controller 170 an indication of the event. Thedevice controller 120-2 may determine if the event is a catastrophicfailure with a continuing short circuit or if (as may be the case with alight bulb, e.g.) it is a fault that has now been removed. For example,the device controller 120-2 may do this by cycling the low currentswitch 315 to check for continuity. If the fault continues, then thedevice controller 120-2 may be set to default off, for safety reasons.Once the fault has been rectified, providing it has power, it will bepossible to re-activate the device controller 120-2 from the systemcontroller 170 and/or the mobile controller 175. Should the device bedeactivated and the power storage 310 is discharged, certain embodimentsmay allow for removal of the device controller 120-2 and recharging itin an external adapter. This may include a means to forcefully rechargethe internal power storage 310 by for instance inductive coupling.

FIGS. 7A and 7B respectively illustrate diagrams of a smart terminal 700and a smart terminal 750, in accordance with certain embodiments ofpresent disclosure. FIG. 7A illustrates top, side, and end views ofcertain portions of the smart terminal 700. FIG. 7B illustrates top andside views of certain portions of the smart terminal 750. In thesealternative embodiments, device controllers 120-3, 120-4 may beencapsulated in terminal connectors that can be used within existingelectrical fittings.

The smart terminal 700 may include grub screw terminals 705 at each end.The alternative embodiment of the smart terminal 750 may include a grubscrew terminal 705 at only one end. The smart terminal 750 may includean embedded rigid terminal pin 755 or a short length of wire with theend bared. The smart terminals 700, 750 could thus be easily installedwithin existing fittings such as a light switch, ceiling rose, wallsocket, and/or the like. The smart terminals 700, 750 may include aninsulating shroud 710 removably attached to the housing 715 to cover upthe exposed contacts once the smart terminal 700, 750 has been placed incircuit and the screws 705 tightened to securely connect any wires.

FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram of a computing device 800, whichmay correspond to one or more of controllers 170-1 and/or 175-1,according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure. In someembodiments, the computing device 800 may be mobile computing device. Insome embodiments, the computing device 800 may be provided with a mobileapplication 851 configured to run on the computing device 800 tofacilitate various embodiments of this disclosure. In some embodiments,instead of a mobile application 851, another type of application orinstruction set may be configured to run on the computing device 800 tofacilitate various embodiments of this disclosure. The computing device800 may be any portable device suitable for sending and receivinginformation in accordance with embodiments described herein. For examplewithout limitation, in various embodiments, the computing device 800 mayinclude one or more of a mountable control unit, a mobile phone, acellular telephone, a smartphone, a handheld mobile device, a tabletcomputer, a web pad, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a notebookcomputer, a handheld computer, a laptop computer, or the like.

As shown in FIG. 8, the computing device 800 includes a display 830 andinput elements 832 to allow a user to input information into thecomputing device 800. By way of example without limitation, the inputelements 832 may include one or more of a keypad, a trackball, atouchscreen, a touchpad, a pointing device, a microphone, a voicerecognition device, or any other appropriate mechanism for the user toprovide input. The display 830 may include a resistive or capacitivescreen. The display 830 may be configured for stylus sensitivity whichallows movement of the stylus on the screen to be detected. Thetouch-screen capability may be achieved via an electronic positionlocation system capable of determining a location of a selected regionof the display screen. A commercially available electronic positionlocation system like the ones that are used in many commerciallyavailable devices such as personal digital assistants, tablet PCs, andsmartphones, may be used. An exemplary system may comprise a glass orplastic plate with a metallic coating facing a metallic coating on anunderside of a layer of Mylar™ above the glass or plastic plate.

The input elements 832 may include one or more of: card readers,dongles, finger print readers, gloves, graphics tablets, joysticks,keyboards, microphones, mouse (mice), remote controls, retina readers,touch screens (e.g., capacitive, resistive, etc.), trackballs,trackpads, sensors (e.g., accelerometers, ambient light, GPS,gyroscopes, proximity, etc.), styluses, and/or the like.

The computing device 800 includes a memory 834 communicatively coupledto a processor 836 (e.g., a microprocessor) for processing the functionsof the computing device 800. The computing device 800 may include atleast one antenna 838 for wireless data transfer. The computing device800 may also include a microphone 840 to allow a user to transmit voicecommunication through the computing device 800, and a speaker 842 toallow the user to hear alarms, voice communication, music, etc. Inaddition, the computing device 800 may include one or more interfaces inaddition to the antenna 838, e.g., a wireless interface coupled to anantenna. The communications interfaces 844 can provide a near fieldcommunication interface (e.g., contactless interface, Bluetooth, Zigbee,optical interface, etc.) and/or wireless communications interfacescapable of communicating through a cellular network, such as GSM, orthrough Wi-Fi, such as with a wireless local area network (WLAN).Accordingly, the computing device 800 may be capable of transmitting andreceiving information wirelessly through both short range, radiofrequency (RF) and cellular and Wi-Fi connections.

The computing device 800 can also include at least one computer-readablemedium 846 coupled to the processor 836, which stores applicationprograms and other computer code instructions for operating the device,such as an operating system (OS) 848. The mobile application 851 may bestored in the memory 834 and/or computer-readable media 846. In certainembodiments, the computing device 800 may include a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium, e.g., memory 834. Thecomputer-readable medium 846 can include a sensing application 846(a) togather and/or process any suitable information regarding sensors (e.g.,temperature, light, etc.) in accordance with various embodiments,including, for example, data gathered from sensors of the computingdevice 800.

Referring now to FIG. 9, an example method 900 for enabling devicecontrol, in accordance with certain embodiments of the presentdisclosure. Teachings of the present disclosure may be implemented in avariety of configurations that may correspond to the configurationsdisclosed herein. As such, certain aspects of the methods disclosedherein may be omitted, and the order of the steps may be shuffled in anysuitable manner and may depend on the implementation chosen. Moreover,while the aspects of the methods disclosed herein, may be separated forthe sake of description, it should be understood that certain steps maybe performed simultaneously or substantially simultaneously.

As indicated by block 902, in some embodiments, one or more operationalmodes and system configurations may be defined. The one or moreoperational modes may include any suitable number of modes for anysuitable system configurations, which may have any suitable number ofdevice controllers 120 and devices under control 115. The end user couldhave the option to define and/or select one or more operational modesvia controllers 170, 175 in some embodiments. In some embodiments, thedevice controller 120 and/or controllers 170, 175 may be preset by, saya manufacturer and/or service provider, with the one or more operationalmodes. In some embodiments, the device controller 120 and/or controllers170, 175 may be configured to automatically define one or moreoperational modes based at least in part on detecting the particulartype of device under control coupled to the device controller 120. Forexample, the device controller 120 and/or controllers 170, 175 may beconfigured to automatically identify a type of load, which may or maynot allow for current variation.

In some implementations, multiple operational modes may be defined toallow for one or more power savings modes. In various embodiments, apower savings configuration could be based on one or more of time ofday, day of week, season (e.g., summer), location, temperature, and/orany other suitable basis. For example, a power savings configurationcould designate a certain time period in the day for a power savingsmode. This could correspond to prime time appliance usage periods. Itcould correspond to relatively hot time periods of the day for locationsand seasons where the heat of the day requires high levels of airconditioning and, thus, power consumption. A power savings configurationcould designate a temperature threshold such that the savings mode wouldbe initiated when an outside temperature in the location meets orexceeds the temperature threshold. In some embodiments, a serviceprovider or other data source may push indications of local outsidetemperature to the system. Alternatively or additionally, televisionreceivers may pull indications of local outside temperature from aservice provider or other data source. Some implementations could cometo the end user preprogrammed to allow user selection of such options.In some cases, the user-selectable options may allow a user to modifycriteria for power savings modes. For example, there may be provided auser-selectable option to adjust a temperature threshold such that thesavings mode would be initiated when an outside temperature in thelocation meets or exceeds the temperature threshold.

As indicated by block 904, the device controller 120 may process anindication of a trigger event. The trigger event may correspond to acontrol command from a controller 170, 175, a predetermined operationalmode trigger (e.g., time, date, temperature, light level, etc.), ordetection of an overcurrent. As indicated by block 906, the devicecontroller 120 may select an operating mode from the plurality ofoperating modes based at least in part on the indication of the triggerevent. In some cases, there may be only two operating modes—on and off.In other embodiments, there may be more than two operating modes. Themultiple powers saving modes could include any combination ofuser-defined power savings mode(s), preset power saving mode(s), staticpower savings mode(s), and/or the like.

As indicated by block 908, the configuration information related to theselected operating mode(s) may be processed by any one or combination ofthe controller 170, controller(s) 175, and/or device controller(s) 120.The configuration information could include information about a set ofone or more devices under control 115 for the system, a set of one ormore corresponding device controllers 120, a set of one or morecorresponding communications, and/or the like. By way of example, theconfiguration information could include information about certaindevices under control 115 that can be turned on, turned off, orotherwise controlled. As a more specific example, a primary televisionreceiver located in a living room may be subject to a first powersavings configuration for a particular usage period, and a secondarytelevision receiver located in a bedroom may be subject to a secondpower savings configuration for the particular usage period.

As indicated by block 910, in some embodiments, the system may provideone or more notifications to users prior to and/or after an operationalmode transition to inform the user of the change. Some notifications canonly be provided after the operational mode transition (e.g., overloadcurrent protection). Notifications may be presented at the controllers170 and/or 175. A notification could be provided for all changes or foronly select changes. As indicated by block 912, the system may beconfigured according to the selected operating mode(s). As indicated byblock 912, the system may be configured according to a second operatingmode. The second operating mode may correspond to the initial, default,and/or normal operating mode such that the television receiver returnsto the former state that it was in prior to entering one or more powersavings modes. In some embodiments, the second set of operating mode(s)may correspond to another operating mode, and any one or combination ofsteps 902 to 910 may be performed with respect to the second set ofoperating mode(s). The second set of operating mode(s) could be selectedbased at least in part on dynamic adjustment in view of a performancegoal (say, power saving goal), or in view of a newly identifiedperformance goal. The second power savings mode could be selected basedat least in part on a gradated power savings scheme to address afluctuation of customer usage.

As indicated by block 914, in some embodiments, the system may processpower usage information. In various embodiments, the system may monitor,measure, detect, estimate, and/or otherwise gather informationpertaining to power usage and/or savings. The power usage informationmay be conveyed by the device controllers 120, the system controller 170and/or the mobile controller(s) 175, in various embodiments. Anysuitable power usage and/or savings metrics may be derived to indicatepower usage and/or savings associated with any one or combination ofoperational modes of the system. This may allow for the surfacing ofsavings information to an end user. As indicated by block 916, in someembodiments, the system controller 170 and/or the mobile controller(s)175 may provide indicia of power usage and/or savings information forpresentation to and/or access by an end user.

A power usage history for the system may thus be compiled for informingan end user and/or a service provider. Power usage information may beprocessed for any suitable time period. For example, current usage orusage over a past time period may be determined and compared to aprevious corresponding time period (e.g., the past month's usage may becompared to usage from a previous month, one year's usage may becompared to a previous year's usage, etc.). In some embodiments, theaccounting of the usage may consider pricing information that may beestimated, assumed, and/or gathered from the user's electricity providerto provide indicia of cost savings. The user could provide input ofpricing information in some implementations. In some cases, a serviceprovider may gather pricing information from the user's electricityprovider and/or electricity providers servicing the user's generallocality. The pricing information could correspond to average orotherwise typical pricing for the user's general locality.

A computer system as illustrated in FIG. 10 may be incorporated as partof the previously described computerized devices. FIG. 10 provides aschematic illustration of one embodiment of a computer system 1000 thatcan perform various steps of the methods provided by variousembodiments. It should be noted that FIG. 10 is meant only to provide ageneralized illustration of various components, any or all of which maybe utilized as appropriate. FIG. 10, therefore, broadly illustrates howindividual system elements may be implemented in a relatively separatedor relatively more integrated manner.

The computer system 1000 is shown comprising hardware elements that canbe electrically coupled via a bus 1005 (or may otherwise be incommunication, as appropriate). The hardware elements may include one ormore processors 1010, including without limitation one or moregeneral-purpose processors and/or one or more special-purpose processors(such as digital signal processing chips, graphics accelerationprocessors, video decoders, and/or the like); one or more input devices1015, which can include without limitation a mouse, a keyboard, remotecontrol, and/or the like; and one or more output devices 1020, which caninclude without limitation a display device, a printer, and/or the like.

The computer system 1000 may further include (and/or be in communicationwith) one or more non-transitory storage devices 1025, which cancomprise, without limitation, local and/or network accessible storage,and/or can include, without limitation, a disk drive, a drive array, anoptical storage device, a solid-state storage device, such as a randomaccess memory (“RAM”), and/or a read-only memory (“ROM”), which can beprogrammable, flash-updateable and/or the like. Such storage devices maybe configured to implement any appropriate data stores, includingwithout limitation, various file systems, database structures, and/orthe like.

The computer system 1000 might also include a communications subsystem1030, which can include without limitation a modem, a network card(wireless or wired), an infrared communication device, a wirelesscommunication device, and/or a chipset (such as a Bluetooth™ device, an1002.11 device, a WiFi device, a WiMax device, cellular communicationdevice, etc.), and/or the like. The communications subsystem 1030 maypermit data to be exchanged with a network (such as the networkdescribed below, to name one example), other computer systems, and/orany other devices described herein. In many embodiments, the computersystem 1000 will further comprise a working memory 1035, which caninclude a RAM or ROM device, as described above.

The computer system 1000 also can comprise software elements, shown asbeing currently located within the working memory 1035, including anoperating system 1040, device drivers, executable libraries, and/orother code, such as one or more application programs 1045, which maycomprise computer programs provided by various embodiments, and/or maybe designed to implement methods, and/or configure systems, provided byother embodiments, as described herein. Merely by way of example, one ormore procedures described with respect to the method(s) discussed abovemight be implemented as code and/or instructions executable by acomputer (and/or a processor within a computer); in an aspect, then,such code and/or instructions can be used to configure and/or adapt ageneral purpose computer (or other device) to perform one or moreoperations in accordance with the described methods.

A set of these instructions and/or code might be stored on anon-transitory computer-readable storage medium, such as thenon-transitory storage device(s) 1025 described above. In some cases,the storage medium might be incorporated within a computer system, suchas computer system 1000. In other embodiments, the storage medium mightbe separate from a computer system (e.g., a removable medium, such as acompact disc), and/or provided in an installation package, such that thestorage medium can be used to program, configure, and/or adapt a generalpurpose computer with the instructions/code stored thereon. Theseinstructions might take the form of executable code, which is executableby the computer system 1000 and/or might take the form of source and/orinstallable code, which, upon compilation and/or installation on thecomputer system 1000 (e.g., using any of a variety of generallyavailable compilers, installation programs, compression/decompressionutilities, etc.), then takes the form of executable code.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that substantialvariations may be made in accordance with specific requirements. Forexample, customized hardware might also be used, and/or particularelements might be implemented in hardware, software (including portablesoftware, such as applets, etc.), or both. Further, connection to othercomputing devices such as network input/output devices may be employed.

As mentioned above, in one aspect, some embodiments may employ acomputer system (such as the computer system 1000) to perform methods inaccordance with various embodiments of the invention. According to a setof embodiments, some or all of the procedures of such methods areperformed by the computer system 1000 in response to processor 1010executing one or more sequences of one or more instructions (which mightbe incorporated into the operating system 1040 and/or other code, suchas an application program 1045) contained in the working memory 1035.Such instructions may be read into the working memory 835 from anothercomputer-readable medium, such as one or more of the non-transitorystorage device(s) 825. Merely by way of example, execution of thesequences of instructions contained in the working memory 1035 mightcause the processor(s) 1010 to perform one or more procedures of themethods described herein.

The terms “machine-readable medium,” “computer-readable storage medium”and “computer-readable medium,” as used herein, refer to any medium thatparticipates in providing data that causes a machine to operate in aspecific fashion. These mediums may be non-transitory. In an embodimentimplemented using the computer system 1000, various computer-readablemedia might be involved in providing instructions/code to processor(s)1010 for execution and/or might be used to store and/or carry suchinstructions/code. In many implementations, a computer-readable mediumis a physical and/or tangible storage medium. Such a medium may take theform of a non-volatile media or volatile media. Non-volatile mediainclude, for example, optical and/or magnetic disks, such as thenon-transitory storage device(s) 1025. Volatile media include, withoutlimitation, dynamic memory, such as the working memory 1035.

Common forms of physical and/or tangible computer-readable mediainclude, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk,magnetic tape, or any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, any other opticalmedium, any other physical medium with patterns of marks, a RAM, a PROM,EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, or any othermedium from which a computer can read instructions and/or code.

Various forms of computer-readable media may be involved in carrying oneor more sequences of one or more instructions to the processor(s) 1010for execution. Merely by way of example, the instructions may initiallybe carried on a magnetic disk and/or optical disc of a remote computer.A remote computer might load the instructions into its dynamic memoryand send the instructions as signals over a transmission medium to bereceived and/or executed by the computer system 1000.

The communications subsystem 1030 (and/or components thereof) generallywill receive signals, and the bus 1005 then might carry the signals(and/or the data, instructions, etc. carried by the signals) to theworking memory 1035, from which the processor(s) 1010 retrieves andexecutes the instructions. The instructions received by the workingmemory 1035 may optionally be stored on a non-transitory storage device1025 either before or after execution by the processor(s) 1010.

It should further be understood that the components of computer system1000 can be distributed across a network. For example, some processingmay be performed in one location using a first processor while otherprocessing may be performed by another processor remote from the firstprocessor. Other components of computer system 1000 may be similarlydistributed. As such, computer system 1000 may be interpreted as adistributed computing system that performs processing in multiplelocations. In some instances, computer system 1000 may be interpreted asa single computing device, such as a distinct laptop, desktop computer,or the like, depending on the context.

The methods, systems, and devices discussed above are examples. Variousconfigurations may omit, substitute, or add various procedures orcomponents as appropriate. For instance, in alternative configurations,the methods may be performed in an order different from that described,and/or various stages may be added, omitted, and/or combined. Also,features described with respect to certain configurations may becombined in various other configurations. Different aspects and elementsof the configurations may be combined in a similar manner. Also,technology evolves and, thus, many of the elements are examples and donot limit the scope of the disclosure or claims.

Specific details are given in the description to provide a thoroughunderstanding of example configurations (including implementations).However, configurations may be practiced without these specific details.For example, well-known circuits, processes, algorithms, structures, andtechniques have been shown without unnecessary detail in order to avoidobscuring the configurations. This description provides exampleconfigurations only, and does not limit the scope, applicability, orconfigurations of the claims. Rather, the preceding description of theconfigurations will provide those skilled in the art with an enablingdescription for implementing described techniques. Various changes maybe made in the function and arrangement of elements without departingfrom the spirit or scope of the disclosure.

Also, configurations may be described as a process which is depicted asa flow diagram or block diagram. Although each may describe theoperations as a sequential process, many of the operations can beperformed in parallel or concurrently. In addition, the order of theoperations may be rearranged. A process may have additional steps notincluded in the figure. Furthermore, examples of the methods may beimplemented by hardware, software, firmware, middleware, microcode,hardware description languages, or any combination thereof. Whenimplemented in software, firmware, middleware, or microcode, the programcode or code segments to perform the necessary tasks may be stored in anon-transitory computer-readable medium such as a storage medium.Processors may perform the described tasks.

Having described several example configurations, various modifications,alternative constructions, and equivalents may be used without departingfrom the spirit of the disclosure. For example, the above elements maybe components of a larger system, wherein other rules may takeprecedence over or otherwise modify the application of the invention.Also, a number of steps may be undertaken before, during, or after theabove elements are considered.

What is claimed:
 1. A system to facilitate device control, the systemcomprising: a device controller adapted to be disposed within a powerconnector, the power connector adapted to provide power from a powersource to a device; the device controller comprising: a first terminaland a second terminal to electrically couple the device controller inseries with line conductors of the power connector; a power component topower the device controller; and the device controller configured to:detect an indication of a trigger event that is based at least in parton data from one or more sensors and/or data sources that are remotefrom the power connector and the device; select an operating mode from aplurality of operating modes based at least in part on the indication ofthe trigger event; and control one or more functions of the device inconformity with the selected operating mode.
 2. The system to facilitatedevice control as recited in claim 1, where the device controller isfurther configured to: charge the power component when activating thedevice in conformity with the selected operating mode.
 3. The system tofacilitate device control as recited in claim 2, where the charging thepower component is based at least in part on the device controllercontrolling a second current to flow to the power component whileallowing a first current to flow to the device, where the second currentis less than the first current.
 4. The system to facilitate devicecontrol as recited in claim 1, the system further comprising: a systemcontroller that is configured to wirelessly communicate with a set ofone or more device controllers to facilitate power savings with respectto the set of one or more device controllers, the set of one or moredevice controllers comprising the device controller.
 5. The system tofacilitate device control as recited in claim 4, where the systemcontroller is further configured to wirelessly communicate to the devicecontroller the indication of the trigger event that is based at least inpart on the data from the one or more sensors and/or the data sources.6. The system to facilitate device control as recited in claim 5, wherethe trigger event corresponding to one or more detections of one or moreof a time, a day, a location, a lighting level, a season, and/or atemperature currently associated with the device controller.
 7. Thesystem to facilitate device control as recited in claim 6, where thesystem controller is further configured to wirelessly communicate to asecond device controller the indication of the trigger event that isbased at least in part on the data from the one or more sensors and/orthe data sources, to cause the second device controller to control oneor more functions of a second device.
 8. A method to facilitate devicecontrol, the method comprising: disposing a device controller within apower connector, the power connector adapted to provide power from apower source to a device, the device controller comprising: a firstterminal and a second terminal to electrically couple the devicecontroller in series with line conductors of the power connector; and apower component to power the device controller; detecting, by the devicecontroller, an indication of a trigger event that is based at least inpart on data from one or more sensors and/or data sources that areremote from the power connector and the device; selecting, by the devicecontroller, an operating mode from a plurality of operating modes basedat least in part on the indication of the trigger event; andcontrolling, by the device controller, one or more functions of thedevice in conformity with the selected operating mode.
 9. The method tofacilitate device control as recited in claim 8, the method furthercomprising: charging, by the device controller, the power component whenactivating the device in conformity with the selected operating mode.10. The method to facilitate device control as recited in claim 9, wherethe charging the power component is based at least in part on the devicecontroller controlling a second current to flow to the power componentwhile allowing a first current to flow to the device, where the secondcurrent is less than the first current.
 11. The method to facilitatedevice control as recited in claim 8, the method further comprising:wirelessly communicating, by a system controller, with a set of one ormore device controllers to facilitate power savings with respect to theset of one or more device controllers, the set of one or more devicecontrollers comprising the device controller.
 12. The method tofacilitate device control as recited in claim 11, where the systemcontroller is further configured to wirelessly communicate to the devicecontroller the indication of the trigger event that is based at least inpart on the data from the one or more sensors and/or the data sources.13. The method to facilitate device control as recited in claim 12,where the trigger event corresponding to one or more detections of oneor more of a time, a day, a location, a lighting level, a season, and/ora temperature currently associated with the device controller.
 14. Themethod to facilitate device control as recited in claim 13, where thesystem controller is further configured to wirelessly communicate to asecond device controller the indication of the trigger event that isbased at least in part on the data from the one or more sensors and/orthe data sources, to cause the second device controller to control oneor more functions of a second device.
 15. One or more non-transitory,machine-readable media having machine-readable instructions thereonwhich, when executed by one or more processing devices, facilitatesdevice control, causing the one or more processing devices to: control,with a device controller within a power connector, power from a powersource to a device, the device controller comprising: a first terminaland a second terminal to electrically couple the device controller inseries with line conductors of the power connector; and a powercomponent to power the device controller; detect an indication of atrigger event that is based at least in part on data from one or moresensors and/or data sources that are remote from the power connector andthe device; select an operating mode from a plurality of operating modesbased at least in part on the indication of the trigger event; andcontrol one or more functions of the device in conformity with theselected operating mode.
 16. The one or more non-transitory,machine-readable media as recited in claim 15, the one or moreprocessing devices further to: charge the power component whenactivating the device in conformity with the selected operating mode.17. The one or more non-transitory, machine-readable media as recited inclaim 16, where the charging the power component is based at least inpart on the device controller controlling a second current to flow tothe power component while allowing a first current to flow to thedevice, where the second current is less than the first current.
 18. Theone or more non-transitory, machine-readable media as recited in claim15, the one or more processing devices further to: wirelesslycommunicate with a set of one or more device controllers to facilitatepower savings with respect to the set of one or more device controllers,the set of one or more device controllers comprising the devicecontroller.
 19. The one or more non-transitory, machine-readable mediaas recited in claim 18, the one or more processing devices further to:wirelessly communicate the indication of the trigger event that is basedat least in part on the data from the one or more sensors and/or thedata sources.
 20. The one or more non-transitory, machine-readable mediaas recited in claim 15, where the trigger event corresponding to one ormore detections of one or more of a time, a day, a location, a lightinglevel, a season, and/or a temperature currently associated with thedevice controller.